Dacia

Dacia is a name not known to many, but a staple in the European market. This Romanian car company, based in Mioveni, has been a staple in Romania for decades, owning a huge share in the country’s GDP and exports. As the main car manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe, this Renault subsidiary prides itself on having success through its “unbeatable price/quality/performance/reliability ratio”.

Dacia Cars: The Symbol of Romanian Economy

Here’s a look at the company’s history and best assets.

History of Dacia

It started in 1966 and was the main car manufacturer in Romania for decades. Their biggest success then was the Dacia 1300, manufactured under the Renault 12 license. Dacia cars were such a staple of Romania that Renault eventually acquired the company in 1999, buying 51% of the shares and expanding their productions through to Central and Eastern Europe.

Under Renault, Dacia underwent a modernization process that would catapult it to being the best Ambassador of the Romanian economy. Renault basically overhauled operations and sent it into the 21st century: getting new industrial equipment, reorganizing the supplier network, rebuilding its commercial network, restructuring the activities, as well as improving employee training. Thanks to this, they have gained three certificates in quality management, one of which is environmental. Dacia cars are acknowledged internationally. It has become one of the best selling brands in Europe today.

Dacia’s Best

The Dacia Logan is arguably the best selling model from the Romanian manufacturer. It’s born directly out of their original best-seller, the Dacia 1300, with improvements in both design and performance. Its eventual successor, the New Logan, aims to take advantage of what Dacia has learned from the Logan. Here are some of the features for the Dacia Logan:

  • Renault’s TCe engine 90, a 3-cylinder turbocharged 0.9-liter gasoline engine capable of 90 hp and 135 Nm of torque
  • Media Nav Multimedia system (originally introduced in the Dacia Lodgy, a compact MPV)
  • Speed limiter
  • Cruise control
  • Front and side airbags
  • ABS and ESP

Along with better interiors and more room, it really makes the Logan one of the best compact cars to own in Europe and beyond. Apart from the gasoline model, it’s also manufactured in 2 other variants: one powered with a 1.2-L 16V 75hp petrol engine and a dCi 75hp and 90hp diesel engine. The New Logan is also marketed as the Renault Symbol and the Renault Logan in other countries. Currently being sold at €6,690, it’s still within striking range of the 5,000-euro mark, making it one of the most affordable and reliable cars to own worldwide.

Another one of Dacia’s best-selling models is the Sandero, a supermini 5-door hatchback produced in 2008. Its latest rendition, the second-generation New Sandero, builds on the success of the original and features the same engine options as the New Logan: the TCe 90 gasoline engine, 1.2-L petrol, and both the 75-hp and 90-hp dCi diesel engine. Its variant, the Sandero Stepway, is geared towards those who want more power in their supermini, featuring the dCi 90 diesel engine. The Sandero sells for about €6,690 and the Sandero Stepway is being sold at €10,800.

All three models from Dacia feature the Dacia eco signature, making each car environmentally-friendly in terms of emissions and fuel economy.

No Doubts about Dacia

If compact and supermini cars are not your cup of tea, Dacia also manufactures SUVs (Dacia Duster), MPVs (Lodgy), and LAVs (Dokker and Dokker Van). Dacia cars are some of the most reliable and best selling across Europe. Indeed, Dacia holds strong as the current symbol of the Romanian economy. With its trademark reliability at affordable prices, no one can ever doubt a Dacia car.